Looking for an online casino in Louisiana because you’re feeling lucky today? Don’t look any further because you’ve come to the right place.
The state is relatively new to commercial gambling, only having first legalized it back in 1990. Since then, options in LA have exploded, offering numerous legal possibilities for in-person betting. Despite this favorable climate, the Louisiana online casino market is lagging behind.
The state’s only forms of regulated Internet wagering are sports, including horse racing and fantasy games. However, gamblers can still access offshore online casinos and poker rooms. There are no known cases of law enforcement prosecuting players in the Bayou State.
Let’s take a deeper look at the legal options in Louisiana and the sites you can join.
You can play scratch tickets, fast-play games, and Mega Millions.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are legal in 47 parishes and launched in 2021.
You can only bet on DFS sites licensed by the state.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is legal in Louisiana. However, it’s only permitted in 56 of 64 parishes.
Charitable Gaming
Louisiana law permits charitable bingo, Keno, and raffles.
Electronic bingo machines for charitable organizations are also legal.
Social Gaming
Social betting is legal in Louisiana, provided that the person hosting the event does not make a profit from running the game.
Online Gambling
There are no regulated in-state online casinos under Louisiana law.
However, authorities focus on stopping illegal businesses rather than chasing down someone playing at offshore sites.
Best Louisiana Online Casinos
While Louisiana outlaws “computer gambling”, you can still access real money online casinos regulated in foreign jurisdictions. No one has been charged with playing at offshore sites.
We recommend playing at licensed and reputable out-of-state sites, such as the ones listed below.
Louisiana has many options for those looking to bet in person legally. They also offer regulated online sports betting and horse racing.
Learn more about the permitted options available in the Bayou State.
Land-Based Casinos in Louisiana
23 licensed brick-and-mortar facilities are operating in Louisiana. They fall under four classifications. Many are Riverboats.
The rest are racinos and Native American venues, and there is a single land-based state-regulated casino.
Up until 2018, state-regulated operations were only allowed to serve on Riverboats. Lawmakers decided to allow land-based casinos; thus far, only a single venue has opened.
However, this will soon change as multiple properties are planning moves to land-based facilities.
The state has approved multiple projects; at least 15 current riverboats will move.
Here are all of the casino locations:
– Amelia Belle 500 Lake Palourde Rd, Amelia, LA 70340 Acadiana
– Bally’s Shreveport 451 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101 Northwest
– Belle of Baton Rouge 103 France St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Capital
– Boomtown Bossier City 300 Riverside Dr, Bossier City, LA 71111 Northwest
– Boomtown New Orleans 4132 Peters Rd, Harvey, LA 70058 Southwest
– Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr, Kinder, LA 70648
– Cypress Bayou Casino 832 Martin Luther King Rd, Charenton, LA 70523 Acadiana
Louisiana is lenient in its social gambling laws. They are more concerned over commercial operations than someone holding a football betting pool or home poker hand.
Social gaming is legal as long as the host is not profiting.
They can participate but cannot charge rake, entry fees, or accept tips for services provided.
Home poker games and tournaments are also legal. Tournament buy-ins are not illegal as long as all money is returned as prize money to the winners.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Currently, ten live poker rooms in Louisiana offer cash games and tournaments. All are in casinos and have Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker.
Some even have Seven Card Stud, Lowball, and more.
LA does not regulate in-state online poker, including sweepstakes sites. However, you can play at social or offshorepoker rooms.
Video Poker
State laws allows bars, restaurants, and truck stops to operate video poker.
Furthermore, an establishment with a liquor license in the state can have up to three machines.
Video poker games can also be found inside “truck stops”, casinos and racinos.
If you see discrepancies on other websites on the number of gambling operations in Louisiana, it is likely because they include establishments that call themselves casinos but only offer video poker.
Casino Cruises
While there are many Riverboat casinos in Louisiana, they are primarily docked boats that never sail.
The state law allows commercial cruise lines to offer casinos.
Carnival Cruise Lines offers casino cruises that leave out of New Orleans. Usually, these cruises allow gambling once the ship hits international waters.
Real Money Online Casino Louisiana – Games You Can Play
Offshore casinos offer an alternative to land-based facilities for Louisiana players.
Here are the different online casino games you can play at out-of-state sites.
Louisiana hasn’t yet regulated online casinos within its borders, but you can still play real money slots at offshore sites without fear of prosecution.
All offshore casinos offer a much greater variety than what you’ll find in brick-and-mortar regulated venues.
You’ll find everything from classic single lines to modern mechanics like scatter pays, bonus buys, and cascading wins.
Also, you can try your luck at small fixed jackpots or massive progressives with up to seven-figure prizes.
In-state online poker rooms are not currently permitted under LA law. The good news is you can still access sites regulated outside.
The best offshore card rooms for Louisianans are operated by established brands and offer games and tournaments in Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Let Em Ride, and Pai Gow.
The other options for poker in the Bayou State are all in person. Either at land-based facilities or playing for fun at home.
The State Police in the Bayou State has a division dedicated to enforcement.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Louisiana?
Some forms of online gambling are legal in Louisiana. Online sports betting is permitted in 56 of 64 parishes, and fantasy sports is lawful in 47.
Advance Deposit Wagering is allowed throughout the state, but you can only bet at licensed sportsbooks and racinos.
All other forms of online wagering are not licensed under LA law. Violators can be subject to fines and potential jail time.
However, the State Police tend to go after those operating illegal businesses rather than players.
Players in the Bayou State can still access out-of-state online casinos.
Penalties for Illegal Gambling
Louisiana defines gambling as any business operating a game of any type where a “person risks the loss of anything of value in order to realize a profit.”
Anyone who commits the crime can be subject to a fine of up to 500 and potential jail time of up to six months.
Penalties for operating, managing, or financing an illegal business are quite severe, with fines of up to $20,000 and up to five years in prison.
Casinos, racinos, and certain businesses can offer up to 3 machines.
Licensed establishments cover those that have liquor licenses for on-premises consumption. This includes off-track betting parlors, restaurants, bars, and qualified truck stops.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board issues the licenses.
Legal Forms of Gambling Under State Law
Several gambling activities are exempted from Louisiana gambling laws. They are as follows:
Riverboat and tribal gambling
Video Poker at licensed establishments
Charitable gaming
Pari-mutuel betting and Advance Deposit Wagering
Slot machines at horse racing facilities (Racinos)
Louisiana State Lottery
Fantasy sports
Sports betting
While legal at the state level, some activities, like fantasy sports and sports betting, are still illegal in select parishes.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Louisiana Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Despite being reasonably liberal on live gambling, Louisiana is restrictive on online wagering within its borders.
Let’s take a look at how the state compares to its neighbors.
Louisiana is the only state where in-state online casinos are explicitly prohibited. Texas is the outlier for Internet sports betting and will likely not consider the issue again until 2025.
If you plan to play at online casinos in LA or any of its neighbors, we recommend only joining sites licensed by a major regulator like the Malta Gaming Authority or the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
Louisiana Online Casino – Tips to Play Safely
If you choose to play at offshore casinos in the Bayou State, you must tread carefully and avoid scams.
Here are some tips for playing safely at Louisiana gambling sites.
Avoid Unlicensed Casinos
Reputable sites hold a license from a regulator like the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
Casinos that are licensed follow strict practices for player safety and game fairness.
Pick Brands With an Established Reputation
Your best option for finding safe Louisiana gambling sites is to look for those with an established history.
Most importantly, look for casinos with numerous reviews and feedback from other players. This helps you weed out unscrupulous operators or those with questionable prestige.
Pay Attention to the RTP and House Edge
The RTP and house edge will tell you how much you can expect to win or lose over time.
The higher the return to player, the better your odds of winning.
Learn How to Play the Games Before Risking Money
Before spending a dime on casino games, ensure you understand the game’s rules.
When applicable, learn basic strategies for games. Many titles offer free-play demo versions that allow you to play the game before wagering for real.
Only Deposit What You Can Afford to Lose
Online gambling should be viewed as entertainment, so only deposit money you can afford to lose.
Never play with money needed for any purpose, like groceries or rent money.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in Louisiana
As a whole, Louisiana is a welcoming state for most gamblers.
However, it needs to become a bit more progressive in its legalization of online betting.
Here are some of the pros and cons of gambling in the Bayou State.
Pros
Live casinos and racinos available.
Online sports betting and ADW are legal.
Numerous charitable gambling locations are available.
Home games and social play are legal.
Players can access offshore casinos.
Cons
In-state online casinos and poker rooms are not regulated under the law.
Sports betting illegal in 8 parishes.
Fantasy sports illegal in 17 parishes.
The Future of Online Gambling in Louisiana: Our Prediction
Louisiana will be a bit slower than other states to legalize online gambling. That is because an online gambling resolution will need to be voted upon in each parish, similar to what happened for sports betting and fantasy sports.
Odds are that online casinos will not pass in every parish, making law a hodgepodge similar to what we see for the state’s current legal options.
There are no bills on the horizon for regulation, and there doesn’t appear to be a significant push for one at present.
Our prediction is that Louisiana could take up to another decade to regulate online casinos within its borders. The only way we see this timeline accelerated is if neighboring states start pushing toward regulated gambling.
In the meantime, Louisiana players can still access offshore online casinos. Remember, you have no legal resort against fraud on unregulated sites, so there is a bit of risk.
However, you can avoid it by playing at licensed and legitimate online casinos, such as those on our recommended list.
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about Lousiana online gambling.
How will my gambling winnings be taxed in Louisiana?
Louisiana gambling winnings are taxable. You will pay a state tax of six percent and a federal tax rate of 24%
Is there any risk of being prosecuted for playing at online casinos that are outside of Louisiana?
Yes. Gambling at online casinos can net you a fine and potential jail time. However, there is no registered prosecution for anyone playing at offshore sites. Instead, the State Police focus on illegal gambling businesses.
Are there real money online casinos in Louisiana with no deposit bonuses?
You will seldom find real money Louisiana online casinos offering no deposit bonuses. Their bonuses require a deposit, but most offer free spins as an added incentive.
Arthur Crowson writes for gambleonline.net about the gambling industry. His experience ranges from crypto and technology to sports, casinos, and poker. He went to Douglas College and started his journalism career at the Merritt Herald as a general beat reporter covering news, sports and community.
Arthur lives in Hawaii and is passionate about writing, editing, and photography.
